Some Australian trees have antiseptic and antibacterial properties, and other native plants can even fight some types of staph infection.

These are just some of the findings that have come out of a collaboration between researchers from Macquarie University and the Yaegl indigenous community in Maclean in northern New South Wales.

These findings have been discussed this week at the International Horticulture Congress in Brisbane. The research could also prove fruitful in helping to kickstart new cottage-based industries within indigenous communities.